Albuquerque: Route 66 Open-Air Trolley Tour & Breaking Bad Locations

The Neon Signs Still Glow: Route 66 Through Albuquerque on an Open Trolley

You board an open-air trolley for a fully narrated tour of Albuquerque's Route 66 heritage, passing Old Town, Nob Hill, UNM, and the Breaking Bad filming locations that made the city famous on screen. The multimedia narration covers the city's red and green chile culture, its music, and its place in American road-trip history. You'll ride for a couple of hours without arranging your own transport or figuring out which stops matter—the trolley does that for you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Route 66 and Albuquerque city tour

• Board open-air trolley
• Explore red and green chile uses
• Hear University of New Mexico Lobo call
• See Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul sites
• View Old Town Plaza and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
• Pass Museum Row and Route 66 landmarks
• Drive through Nob Hill food spots
• Visit University of New Mexico campus

The Experience

The trolley's bell rings as it pulls away from the stop, and you're rolling past the KiMo Theatre's marquee—the kind of vintage neon that hasn't dimmed since the Mother Road was first paved. This is the Route 66 centennial tour, and it's built around the idea that you don't see a highway from inside a car; you see it from the open air, moving slow enough to actually notice the El Vado Motel's turquoise trim or the way the 66 Diner sits on the corner like it's been waiting for you. The trolley itself is narrated—not just a driver pointing things out, but a full multimedia experience that walks you through how this road shaped Albuquerque and the whole idea of the American road trip.

You'll move through Old Town Plaza first, where the city's colonial heart still stands, then cut across to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Museum Row before heading into the neighborhoods that actually live on Route 66. Nob Hill has the food spots and the history layered into its streets. Downtown takes you past the American International Rattlesnake Museum and the historic locations that make up the city's core. The University of New Mexico campus—the Lobo heart of the place—gets its own stop, and yeah, you might hear the famous musical number. Then there's the part that makes people book this: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations. If you watched those shows, you'll recognize the streets and buildings. If you didn't, you'll still get why they chose Albuquerque to film them.

The red and green chile culture comes up naturally as you roll—it's not a separate lecture, it's woven into how the city actually eats and thinks. You'll see a beach in the desert (it's there), a castle (also there), the Rail Yards, Sawmill Market. The whole thing is designed so you're not jumping between unrelated stops; you're tracing one road and watching how it connects everything. It takes a couple of hours, and the open-air setup means you're not separated from the city by glass—you're in it, moving through it at the speed of a trolley, which is the speed Route 66 was always meant to be seen.

What’s included

Your tour includes the open-air trolley ride, fully narrated multimedia experience, stops at Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Museum Row, Nob Hill, UNM campus, the Rail Yards, Sawmill Market, El Vado Motel, and historic downtown locations including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming sites. The narration covers Route 66 history, Albuquerque's red and green chile culture, and the city's role in American pop culture.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TourABQ

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Route 66 and Albuquerque's neighborhoods without driving yourself or deciding which stops matter—the trolley's route and narration handle both, and the open-air setup is what makes the road feel like a road instead of a list of places.

Traveler reviews

4.78★★★★★★★★★★

294 verified traveler reviews

5 ★253

4 ★25

3 ★10

2 ★4

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the Route 66 trolley tour in Albuquerque?

The tour lasts a couple of hours. The exact duration depends on the specific departure, but it's designed to hit the main Route 66 landmarks and neighborhoods in one rolling experience.

Does the tour include Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations?

Yes. The trolley passes through filming locations from both shows as part of the route through Albuquerque's neighborhoods and downtown area.

Is the trolley open-air, and what if the weather is bad?

The trolley is open-air by design—that's the whole point of seeing Route 66 from the road itself. Check the weather before you go; the tour operates rain or shine, but an open trolley in heavy rain will be uncomfortable.

What neighborhoods and attractions does the tour cover?

The tour includes Old Town Plaza, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Museum Row, Nob Hill, the University of New Mexico (UNM), the Rail Yards, Sawmill Market, El Vado Motel, the American International Rattlesnake Museum, and historic downtown locations.

Can children ride on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride; infants must sit on an adult's lap. Strollers and prams are allowed on board.

Is there narration, or is it just a ride?

It's fully narrated with multimedia elements. The guide covers Albuquerque's history, Route 66 heritage, the city's food culture, and pop culture connections as you move through each stop.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the trolley.

What does "Route 66 Centennial" mean for this tour?

Route 66 turns 100 in 2026. This tour is a centennial celebration that puts the Mother Road front and center, with special focus on the road's history and its connection to Albuquerque.